Automatic self-closing window



Oct. 31, 1950 G. FULLER 2,527,989

AUTOMATIC SELF-CLOSING wmnow I Filed March 12, 1948 's Sheets- Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

Fig. H gorge L.Fullr Oct. 31,1950 G. 1.. FULLER 2,527,989

AUTOMATIC SELF-CLOSING WINDOW Filed March 12, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. fieorga Lf'ulier G. L. FULLER AUTOMATIC SELF-CLOSING WINDOW 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 12, 1948 H M mm 0 m m m 5 q M M m .L a w 0 e 6 Patented Get. 31, 1950 OFFICE AUTOMATIC SELF-CLOSING WINDOW George L. Fuller, Miami, Fla.

Application March 12, 1948, Serial No. 14,447

3 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in an automatic self-closing window.

An object of the invention is. to provide a window which will be closeable upon the direction. of rainfall thereagainst.

Another object is to provide a self-closeable window which will be simple in construction and compact in assembly.

A further object is to provide a device of the character and for the purposes described which will be positive and efficient in operation.

Still another object is to provide a self-closeable window which may be readily and economically manufactured.

Other advantages of the inventionwill become apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

According to the invention, the automatic selfclosing window comprises a frame having a plurality of pivotable louvers overbalanced therein to pivot toward their closed positions, means to restrain the louvers into their open positions, a well arranged in the sill structure for reception of rain water, a receptacle communicating with the well and elevated in relation thereto, a float arranged in the receptacle and operable by the rainwater collected therein to effect the closure of an electric circuit whereby to energize a solenoid operable to release the restraining means to permit the louvers to pivot to their closed positions.

The invention is embodied in an automatic self-closing window exemplified in the accompanying drawings in which the views are as follows, like reference numerals referring to identical parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1, an elevation, in part, of the window;

Fig. 2, a section taken on line 2-2, of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, a vertical transverse section through the operating louver of the louver assembly;

Fig. 4, a diagram of an electrical circuit ar-' rangement suitable for operating the window;

Fig. 5, a horizontal section taken on line 5--5,,

signed therefor in wood or masonry wall struc:

g the jamb members, as at fulcrum points .8, in

relation to which the louvers are overbalanced so as to be inclined,'by gravity, toward their closed positions, illustrated by the dash line position of the louver shown in Figs. .2. and 3.

' Rearwardly of the fulcrum points 8, the end flanges have a pivotable connection, ason pivot points 9, with a vertically disposed connection bar l0, whereby when one .of the louvers is pivoted between its open and closed positions the whole louver assembly pivots therewith, as will be understood.

The louvers are operable manually through a crank mechanism having a shaft :l l, 'journaledin a bracket I2 secured in any convenient manner-to the jamb structure of the window opening. The shaft is fitted with a handle l3, at one end, andat the other end terminates in a crank arm l4 formed at rightv angle thereto. The crank arm has a pivotable connection, as at, l5, withan upwardly extending linkage l5, of the universal the end flange 1.

member 4. The frame, constructed of any suitable material, preferably of aluminum or like ornamental metal, is adapted for installation in the-conventional marginal window openings detype, which terminates at its upper. .end in a pivotable connection, as by the pivot point 9, with Thus, when the handle is turned to rotatev the shaft II, the louvers are thereby rocked in unison, through the intervening linkage l6 and bar It] (Fig.

The handle has formed thereon an adjusting segment I! which is perforated to provide a plurality of arcuately alined orifices l8, disposed about the axis of theshaft l I. These orifices are adapted to be engaged by a pin 1 9 projecting from theouter. edge of a shelf 20, formed by bending outwardly the angular extension I2a of the bracket l2 (Figs. 5, 6, 8 and 9). Thus, the louvers may be rocked into predetermined positions to govern the degree of closureof the window by adjustment of the segment H in relation to the projecting pin l9.

Arranged within the wall structure underlyingthe sill member 4, as for example, the sill 40. (Fig. .3), is a; receptacle 2!. The bore of the,

receptacle is enlarged atthe topthereof to pro vide an inlet 22 for the reception .of rain water delivered thereto by suitablechannels ortroughs. (not shown) which'may be formed. in the exterior' trim structure of thewindow in a mannerco'nmally sealed by a. valve 24, held thereagainst by a leaf spring 25 fastened to the bottom surface of the sill 4a. The valve carries an upright valve stem 26 extending upwardly through the bore of the well and normallyprojecting above the sill member 4 through an orifice provided'in thetop flange thereof. The valve stem is urged upwardly by the spring 25 to which it is secured by a nut 25a so as to engage a contact or spring member 21, fastened to the top surface of the sill member 4. When the bottommost louver of the Window assembly is pivoted to closed position, the frame thereof is adapted to engage the contact member 21 so as to, in turn, depress the valve stem 26 to open the valve 24 for the discharge of rain water through the bottom opening of the T fittings The receptacle communicates, through a rearwardly directed and upwardly inclined branch 28, connected to the T fitting, with a well 29,

adapted to receive water delivered thereto from 25 the receptacle 2| closed.

The well has arranged therein a buoyant float which carries an upstanding'contactor or when the valve thereto is stem 3l, adapted for slideable movement through 30 thecover portion of the well, under the influence of rising or falling water levels therein.

Arranged in overlying relation with the-com tactor 3|, is an electric circuit maker which may take the form of a leaf switch 32,-normally open,

but engageable by the contactor to close a circuit governed thereby. Thus, when water-collected in the well effects the upward movement of the float 30, the switch 32 is thereby closed to energize an electric circuit for the purpose to be hereinafter described.

; Adjacent the jamb member I, the wall structure has installed therein a solenoid coil 33 which is electrically connected in circuit with the switch 32, as illustrated by a wiring diagram shown in Fig. 4. The solenoid plunger 34 is linked through a. toggle 35 with a trigger lever or'arm 35, ful-- crumed to the shelf 20, which it overlies, at the fulcrum. point'31. The trigger arm terminates in.

aefinger'fla. which is spaced from the adjacent bu segment. I! .(Figs.'5 to 8) under the influence of a leaf spring 39, fastened to: the bracket member l 2c;.and bearing against thefinger 38..

It will be seen that when the solenoid coiliis' energized, the trigger. armtt willbe pivoted by the intervening plunger: and toggle so as...to bring the finger 38 intoengagement with ,thesegment figto, effect .the dislodgment thereof from the projecting pinlt. Thus, the handle;

will pivot from its position in relation to the bracket [2 and the louvers willbe free, in conse-; quence, to move to their closedposition, shown by'dash lines in Fig. 3. It"wi1l be understood that the switch 32 may take the form of a conventional type merco'id 55 tube, which may be arranged in suitable supports overlying the contactor stem 3|,suchthat when the contactor is-mov'ed upwardly the mercoid tube will tilt to closea pair of contact pointstherein so as to effect the energization of the circuit which governs the solenoid coil 33. The structural arrangement of -this form of switch and its operative association with thecontactor stem 3| will be apparent. i

i .In practice, with the louvers in open position,

4 when rain water impinging on the surrounding trim structure of the window is delivered to the receptacle 2|, the water rises therein to overflow into the well 29, causing the float an to rise and close the switch thereabove. The solenoid coil is thereupon energized to effect the dislodgment of the handle mechanism in the manner hereinbefore described, the louvers movin to their closed positions, in consequence. The bottommost louver of the window assembly, in moving to its closed position, engages the contact member 21, thereby depressing the valve stem 26 and opening the valve 24, against the influence of the spring 25, whereby to keep the valve open so as to evacuate water from the receptacle during the pendency of the rainfall. The water level in the well 29, having receded by virtue of the opening of the valve 24 to diminish the supply of rain water to the well, the float 30 is thereby caused to lower and to permit the switch 32- toopen, in a manner which will be apparent from the above description of its assembly. I

Itis to be understood that various modifications in the arrangement of the essential parts of the invention herein described, changes inpanel, means restraining said panel in normally open position and electrically operated means, in-

cluding a magnet and an electric operating circuit therefor, to release said restraining means, of a receptacleformed in the sill of said frame for collecting rain water, a well having lateral communication with said receptacle for the passage of said water therebetween, a float arranged in said well,"ci rcuit making means electrically connected tosaid circuit and operable by said float to actuate said releasing means upon the elevation of said float to a pre-determined level by rising water.

in said well, saidreceptacle having a drain outlet and a normally seated valve for the closure thereof, a reciprocable stem connected to said valve and operable by said panel upon the 0105- ingthereof. to unseat said valve whereby toefiect drainage of said receptacle and the lowering of said pre-determined water level in said well.

::Z jItan automatic self-closing window, the

combination with a frame having a closeablev panelgmeans restraining said panel in normally open position and electrically operated means, in-

eluding a'magnet and an electric operating circuit therefor, to release said restraining means, ,of'.a.

receptacle formed in the sill of said frame for collecting rainwater, a well having lateral communication with said receptacle for the passage of said watertherebetween, a; float arrangedi'n said well and a contact stem extending upwardly therefrom, a circuit closer electrically connected in said circuitiandoperable by said contact stem toactuate said releasing means upon the elevation to apre-determined level of said float by rising waterin said well, said receptacle'h'aving a bottom drain outlet'and a normally seated valve for the closure thereof, a reciprocable stem connected to said F valve and projecting upwardly through said receptacle for operative contact by said panel upon the closing thereof whereby to drain said receptacle and lower the water level in said well.

3. In an automatic self-closing window, the combination with a frame having a closeable panel, means restraining said panel in normally open position and electrically operated means, including a magnet and an electric operating circuit therefor, to release said restraining means,

of a receptacle formed in the sill of said frame for collecting rain water, a well positioned rearwardly of said receptacle and having lateral communication therewith for the passage of said water therebetween, a float arranged in said well and a contact stem extending upwardly therefrom, a circuit closer positioned above said con-' tact stem and electrically connected in said circuit for operation by said contact stem to actuate said releasing means upon the elevation of said float to a pre-determined level by water rising in and engageable by said panel upon the closure' thereof whereby to depress said valve stem to unseat said valve for the drainage of said receptacle and the lowering of the water level in said well.

GEORGE L. FULLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,147,559 Sherman, July 20, 1915 1,655,834 Dzierzenga Jan. 10, 1928' go 1,934,337 Swanson Nov. 7, 1933 2,293,447 Shibelli Aug. 18, 1942 

